Sunday, July 12, 2009

The Sunday Roast

I started to blog as a kind of "writers yoga," to exercise my writer's muscle and get into some daily writing routine, pressured by that little "Publish" button ... I wanted to write after not having done so for two years (working as an editor pushes the writing to the back ...), and I wanted to get a book that I'd started on finished and published. I achieved all those things by December last year. But now, I blog because I love to be in touch with the hundreds of people I've met online, who reciprocate so much, and in some of whom I've found good friends.

What's the story behind your blog name?

We decided to move to India almost eight years ago. The first days you arrive here -- even if you've been here plenty of times before -- you're lost :) There is so much to adjust to culturally on a daily basis that it's blinding. But the purpose for coming here was to find some deeper spiritual and philosophical foundation to our lives. And we did. In the end I realized that daily I'm lost and found again, in every way possible. Repeatedly. And joyfully :)

What is the best thing about being a blogger?

Definitely the people, the relationships, the sharing ... it's unbelievable how many people I've been in touch with, come close to, been helped by, given help to, laughed with, at, for, and in spite of :)

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?

Never fear that what you -- your real self -- displays and expresses on your blog or with others will be rejected; despite our numerous faults and misconceptions, bloggers are also people doing the same thing as you, taking the same risks, expressing the same nervous truths perhaps...they can relate to you, will accept you, and embrace you, giving you strength to go to greater heights...so just don't fear....go for it.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?

Wow ... soooo many. I'm not being polite .... there are so many. Grandpa at Word Mechanic is unfathomably talented in terms of poetry .... he's an extremely gifted, heart-rending poet, and has been a writer all his life. A wonderful writer. His poems have touched me the most, especially On Taking First Communion In Hospital. Then there's Vodka Mom,who is known for her humor, but her depth and heart-rending posts have been beautiful.

But it's so hard to categorize it all to one mood: so many I read touch me in different ways ... and I love that. I also admit I love your Verse and Worse ... it's lightness, ridiculousness, and consistency all impress me :)) And I realize I've just named three people who are writers: two of you professionally and long-term, and Vodka Mom who has taken it up only recently but who is a natural. Her posts will be back up soon by the way ... don't fear :) As a writer, I'm drawn to writers ... and as a writer, I'm drawn to people who aren't writers but who are fearless in writing and expressing. It's wonderful out there :)

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?

Are you serious? All of 'em :) Well ... for me anyway :) As far as the comments and responses go, I'd say two are equally special to me and have also affected my readership in a way that I didn't expect. The first is a recent one called Changes, which is a rather deep expose on how things have changed for since my husband and I suffered a violent road accident six weeks ago; the second is a rather special one that brought my readers to the point of changing their views on cows, and changing their calling of cows to Cow-babies :) You Know How I Told You I Loved Cows.

Today's Sunday Roast with Braja is the 75th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world.

57 comments:

That is a beautiful interview. I am rather new to blogsphere, but I have been around when this accident news of dear Braja came. Great to know her blogging details. I will be going over to catch up with older posts if I may.This is really a great interview all thanks to you David.

I enjoyed your interview with Braja, David. I've been in touch with her for a while and I think she is such an honest blogger. When people are looking for deeper meaning in life, sometimes their writing can get clouded with good intentions and a compelling desire to hide personal flaws. I think Braja is able to share her daily life with both integrity and humor. Thanks for posting this interview with one who is both 'lost AND found'. <3

Whenever I'm out in public I always have that feeling I'm being watched. Since I started reading Braja I've often wondered if the whole 'Lost & Found' bit is just an elaborate cover for a devious quest for global domination. Now I see that I was right. Granted, it will be peaceful and much better off for the cows, but I worry that she'll take away my bacon.

An excellent interview with one of my most top favorite bloggers.What I like about Braja is her honesty.We were all so horrified about her accident and so relieved that she lived to tell the tale.David, Willow now has your book.

I just recently started reading Braja's blog, but the one thing that I totally agree with is that you should not hold back in your commenting or posting, some people may hate you, but at least you are real!

I admire Braja for her deep sense of human values & commitment to a cause.......It is her spirituality that helps her connect to so many people ....wide and far......irrespective of their caste, colour, religion, region and creed........She is a gifted individual with an amazing ability to share......share her thoughts and likings........

She is the best example of what power of sharing can do to someone........

David, thank you for this interview with Braja. I started reading her blog only yesterday, and am already a huge fan.. her writing is so genuine... I was glad to know more about her.I like your blog, am starting to follow it.

Great interview David. I, too, have been following Braja for a while and thoroughly enjoy her thought provoking posts. One major thing about her is that she obviously reads all of the comments about her posts and doesn't hesitate to take the time to respond privately; she's really wonderful about that.

Braja is a talent that can take your breath away, David. She is personal, passionate and poignant... I am honoured to know her and take great pleasure in learning through her strength and her wit and feeling...

Bless you for featuring her, and thank you for this wonderful regular feature, sir! Happy Sunday! x

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About Me

For a free wedding photography quote, go to davidmcmahonweddings.com. I am a Walkley Award-nominated journalist, wedding photographer and bestselling novelist. My first novel, `Vegemite Vindaloo', was published in April 2006 by Penguin Books India and was on the bestseller lists from July to December. My second novel, `Muskoka Maharani', a wartime love story, was published by Penguin in March 2010. I was born and educated in India, where I finished high school at St Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling. I live in Melbourne, Australia and travel the world with my cameras.